Obesity is a chronic condition which is reaching epidemic proportions in the USA. University Of Maryland records that 60 percent of U.S. adults and 30 percent of U.S. children have weight issues. Obesity can cause a variety of health issues including; heart disease, arthritis, varicose veins and high blood pressure. Indeed, obesity is along side smoking as the number one preventable killer, with 300,000 weight related deaths in the U.S. each year.
Vitamin B12
University Of Maryland notes, Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamins which the body needs in order to effectively turn food into fuel, or carbohydrates into glucose, and also help metabolize fats and protein. As a water-soluble vitamin, B12 cannot be stored in the body and so needs to be replenished constantly. B12, in particular, is important for regulating red blood cells and keeping nerve cells healthy.
Misconceptions
The theory behind B12 shots for weight loss is that they will boost your metabolism, give you more energy and thus help you burn off more calories. However, B12 shots are only likely to boost your metabolism if you are B12 deficient, notes Katherine Zeratsky R.D, of MayoClinic.com. Therefore, there is actually no solid evidence that B12 via injections, or any other kind of B12 supplementation, actually improves weight loss.
Potential
According to University Of Maryland, evidence to support B12's beneficial effects on other health conditions is also lacking. Having said this, the university does go on to mention that B12 does have some positive links to health conditions like; heart disease, asthma, increasing male sperm count, and helping to fight cognitive impairment amongst sufferers of Parkinson's Disease.
Considerations
If you are still interested in B12 injections as a treatment for weight loss, consult your family doctor before attending a specialist weight loss clinic. They will be able to advise you on further action. A deficiency in B12 is actually quite rare in all but the very elderly. B12 supplementation can interfere with the effectiveness of other medications, notes MayoClinic.com, but will not harm your overall health.
Solutions
There is no quick fix for weight loss. The likes of diet pills, injections and surgeries are often reserved by doctors for patients with health issues which cause weight gain.
For those that are otherwise healthy, it is best to follow MayoClinic.com's advice of daily physical activity and learning to enjoy a healthy and balanced diet.
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